Elizabeth, I was directing my comments to the OP and did not mean to debate with you. I recognize that you are the one with the training business here, but since you have addressed my view directly ......

I agree with your viewpoint with two exceptions. Once the food has been given to the dog it no longer belongs to the human. Toys belong to the human, also blankets, leashes, etc. Life sustaining food, once given to the dog belongs to the dog and should not be rescinded, or messed with. I agree with Dr. Bailey on this point.

In the case of a child around a dog's food bowl I believe it is the parents' responsibility to teach the child to let the dog eat in peace. My view is that parents who teach the dog to allow the child's presence are abandonning their parental duty to keep their child safe to the dog. In a backwards sort of way this actually gives more control of the food to the dog, not less. I agree that the food messing idea does work in some, if not many, cases. But when it doesn't work, as in the Dr. Bailey article, it can go very, very bad.

Please understand, my only disagreement is with the messing with food, putting hands in the food bowl, taking it away, allowing a child too close to the bowl. Methods where yummy bits are dropped in as parent or old-enough child walk by I practise myself.